Evergreen Voices | Watauga Women In Leadership Gala

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present Evergreen Voices, the fourth annual Watauga Women in Leadership Gala, an evening dedicated to celebrating the women whose determination, grit, and passion continue to shape the High Country.

Thursday, November 20, 2025
from 5:00-7:30 pm at the Inn at Crestwood. 

This year's conversation centers on work ethic and hustle, the drive that pushes us to do hard things, stay committed through challenges, and find purpose in the process. Our featured guests, Brittney Whiteside, Kim Pryor, and Pressley Laton, represent a dynamic mix of experiences, from athletics and education to music and mentorship. Each will share how lessons learned early in life, on the court, in the classroom, or on stage, laid the foundation for their leadership today.

Like evergreens that stand strong through every season, these women embody persistence, balance, and the quiet strength that keeps them, and those they inspire, moving forward.

Your attendance helps strengthen the ongoing work of Watauga Women in Leadership, supporting programs that uplift, connect, and inspire women throughout the High Country.  Join us for an evening of stories, connection, and celebration as we honor the women who remind us that success is built one hard-earned step at a time.

Your $75 ticket includes:

Featured Guests

Pressley Laton

Singer/Songwriter, Boone, NC

Where “authentic, honest-to-God Appalachian Mountain country music” is concerned, as Boonerang Music Festival put it, leave it to alternative-country and roots-rock artist, Pressley Laton, and her band to deliver just that. A North Carolina native who grew up on a steady mix of ’90s country, '50s/’60s rock ‘n’ roll, and classic rock, Pressley blends those influences with a knack for character-driven storytelling to create a sound all her own. Her 2024 EP, Didn’t Stand a Chance, showcases her range — from the heartfelt, genre-bending ballad, “Gypsy Soul,” to the hard-hitting country-rock anthem, “Mountain Man.”

Alongside her songwriting, which earned 3rd place in the Music City Singer-Songwriter Throwdown at Bird’s Nest Listening Room in 2025, Pressley and her band’s collaborative energy has led to performances opening for artists such as ‘90s country star, Wade Hayes, and regional country artist, Adam Church, and appearances at venues and festivals including Amos’ Southend, Appalachian Theatre, Boonerang Music Festival, Antlers & Acorns: The Boone Songwriters Festival, and Southern Songwriter Festival, among others. In early 2026, Pressley will return to Sioux Sioux Studio to record new music with producer, Jason Scavone — a continuation of the honest storytelling and grit that define her sound.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PRESSLEY

Kim Pryor

Educator, Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, and Director of Appalachian Volleyball Club; Former Division I Athlete

Kim Pryor has spent more than two decades serving the students and athletes of Watauga County. She has taught across multiple grade levels—including middle school math, 5th grade, and primarily 3rd grade—focusing on building strong academic foundations and fostering student confidence.

Pryor is in her second tenure as Varsity Volleyball Coach at Watauga High School (2000–2010, 2020–present) and also serves as the school’s Assistant Athletic Director. She directs Appalachian Volleyball Club, a regional youth program dedicated to player development and expanding competitive and scholarship opportunities for athletes in the High Country. In these roles, she oversees program operations, athlete development initiatives, and long-term strategic planning for both school and club athletics.

A former Division I basketball player at Florida Atlantic University, Pryor earned her B.A. in Elementary Education and later completed her M.A. in Reading Education at Appalachian State University. She is passionate about helping young people grow, learn, and succeed both on and off the court.

Brittney Whiteside

Chief Strategy Officer, App State Athletics, former Division I athlete

Brittney Whiteside began her second stint at App State as the athletics department's Chief Strategy Officer in May 2025.

Whiteside serves as a member of the executive leadership team, overseeing the department’s long-term planning and positioning in the rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape. She leads App State’s student-athlete NIL and revenue sharing operations. She also develops key strategies for the growth and continued success of App State Athletics.

Whiteside was a women’s basketball student-athlete at Wright State from 2003-07. She was a four-time Horizon League all-conference and all-defensive team performer and finished her career ranked second on the Raiders’ all-time scoring list. She went on to play professionally in Germany before returning to the United States to begin her career in athletics administration.

Whiteside graduated with a B.S. in psychology in 2007. She went on to earn a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Wright State in 2012.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BRITTNEY

About the Host 

Talia Freeman serves as the Director of Marketing & Sales at Beech Mountain Resort and was recognized as the Boone Area Chamber's 2024 Baker-Jones Woman of the Year. A former Chair of the Chamber's Board of Directors, Talia is known for her unmatched energy, professional excellence, and deep commitment to community. In addition to leading revenue growth for one of the region's largest attractions, she volunteers with Girls on the Run and Lees-McRae College, and she spearheads Beech Mountain's Runs for Buns events, raising funds and awareness for colon cancer research and treatment.